Yes, you can absolutely teach yourself crochet
Crochet is one of the most self-taught-friendly crafts there is. The barrier to entry is low (a £16 kit and a YouTube account), the basic stitches are well-documented online, and there's a vast global community of crocheters ready to help on Reddit, Ravelry and Discord.
Most crocheters you meet online are self-taught. Not 'taught a basic class and then self-continued' — genuinely picked up a hook, opened YouTube, and got to finished scarves within a couple of weeks. If you're disciplined about sticking with one teacher, self-teaching works.
The honest caveat: self-teaching takes 1–2 weeks longer than a structured course. The time cost is in finding the next thing to learn rather than learning it. If that trade-off is fine with you, go ahead.
The fastest free self-taught path
Pick one YouTube teacher and commit. The three we recommend for absolute beginners are: Bella Coco (warmest energy, Scottish accent, 1M+ subscribers for good reason), Sewrella (clearest demos for amigurumi and bags), and TL Yarn Crafts (most structured classroom feel).
Start with their 'complete beginner' playlist — most have one — and finish it in order. Don't skip around. Don't pause mid-playlist to watch a different teacher's version of the same stitch. Don't chase advanced-looking tutorials before the basics feel automatic.
Once you've finished one beginner playlist, you'll have the skills to branch out. You'll have a working single crochet, double crochet, and basic granny square. From there, YouTube is a buffet — pick patterns that appeal to you and search 'how to [technique from that pattern]' as needed.
Why people fail to teach themselves crochet (and how to avoid it)
We've heard the same three failure modes again and again. First, bouncing between teachers — three YouTubers in week one means three ways to hold the hook, three slightly different single-crochet techniques, and endless doubt about which is 'right'. There isn't a right one; commit to whichever teacher's style feels clearest to you and stay there.
Second, dark or fuzzy yarn on day one. You genuinely can't see your stitches. Mistakes become invisible, frustration spikes, and many beginners quit assuming crochet 'isn't for them'. Use light-coloured smooth DK yarn (like Paintbox Simply DK in a mid-tone) until you're confident — then you can switch to anything.
Third, jumping to ambitious projects too early. Amigurumi before single crochet is automatic. Granny-square cardigans before you've finished a granny-square scarf. Stitches-per-inch patterns before you've learned to count. Every intermediate pattern quietly assumes you already have beginner fluency. Work through a dishcloth, granny square and scarf first, in that order.
When a paid course is worth it
A paid course is worth it if any of these apply: you want to save 1–2 weeks of figuring-out-what-to-watch time; you've already tried YouTube and kept getting stuck; you want questions answered (most paid courses have Q&A sections); or you just prefer the structure of sitting down to 'complete lesson 4 today' rather than hunting through a playlist.
Our top pick is Bella Coco's Complete Beginner Crochet on Skillshare (£11/month subscription, free trial covers the whole course). She teaches at the right pace for absolute beginners, her demos are clear, and the course ends with a finished granny square. Full review in our best crochet courses roundup.
For a one-off payment alternative, TL Yarn Crafts' Crochet 101 on Skillshare is our close second — more classroom-feel, slightly more formal teaching style.
How long does self-taught crochet take?
Realistic timeline for self-taught crochet, practising 30–60 minutes most days: week one gets you the chain, single crochet, and a finished dishcloth. Weeks two and three add double crochet, half-double, and a finished scarf or simple bag. Month two brings working in the round, basic amigurumi, and reading patterns. Month three onwards, you're branching out into whatever appeals.
Full timeline in our how long to learn crochet guide.
The calendar-time difference between self-taught and course-taught is usually 1–2 weeks. The total learning-hours difference is close to zero — they're equivalent paths, just differently paced.
Kit matters more than teacher
This is the under-appreciated point. Even the best YouTube teacher can't help you if your kit is fighting you. An uncomfortable hook causes hand pain; dark yarn hides stitches; tangled cheap yarn frustrates every row.
For self-taught learners, we strongly recommend investing in a proper starter kit rather than the cheapest possible one. A Clover Amour 5mm hook (~£8.50) instead of a £1.50 basic aluminium one. Paintbox Simply DK in a light colour (~£2.80) instead of discount acrylic. Locking stitch markers (~£4.99) instead of safety pins. Total: ~£16. Full kit breakdown on our crochet starter kit page.
Paid courses include gear recommendations by default. Self-taught learners have to make those decisions alone — so this is the one area where taking advice from a source you trust (us, or a well-known YouTuber) saves weeks of subtle frustration.
What to do if you get stuck
Three go-to resources when a tutorial doesn't click. First, search the same technique name on a different channel — sometimes a second teacher's angle is enough. Second, ask the /r/crochet subreddit (genuinely friendly, usually responds within an hour with clear photos). Third, the Ravelry forums — old-school but thorough, especially for pattern-reading questions.
Getting stuck on one stitch is normal for every self-taught crocheter. It doesn't mean you can't teach yourself — it means that particular explanation didn't land. Try a different source before giving up.